Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Ira Lawrence Edwards, and Mary Louise Glenn Edwards. He is survived by Carolyn Edwards, his wife of 60 years, his son, Bryan Randolph Edwards and wife, Jennifer Eugenia Edwards of San Antonio, Texas, grandson Nathan Randolph Edwards of San Antonio, Texas, granddaughter Erica Nicole Brown (Baylen) of Lubbock, Texas, and his siblings, David Edwards (Sue) of Denver, Colorado, James Edwards of Sherwood, Arkansas, and Carol Luzader (Gary) of Germantown, Tennessee. He is also survived by twelve nephews and nieces.
Robert graduated from Jacksonville, Arkansas High School in 1955. He attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, graduating in 1960. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Branch of the U.S. Army in March 1960 and served 21 years on active duty. His assignments included two tours in Germany, two tours in Vietnam and he was also an instructor in the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Robert’s military awards include: The Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Parachutist Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal – First Class, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1981 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After retirement, Robert completed his Masters’ degree and then entered the doctoral program at the University of Arkansas in 1982. He earned his PHD in Management in 1988. Beginning in 1985, Robert taught at the University of Evansville, in Evansville, Indiana. Then in 1989, he began teaching at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, where he stayed for the next 16 years, retiring as a Professor of Management in 2005. He was named an Emeritus Professor shortly thereafter.
Robert was a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association of America and served as the President of the River Valley Chapter in Arkansas for two years. He also belonged to Western Hills Christian Church in San Antonio, Texas where he served as both a Deacon and an Elder.
His interests included reading, the Arkansas Razorbacks (Woo Pig Sooey!), the NFL Washington Football Team, genealogy, and he served on the Arkansas Genealogical Society Board of Directors for six years. Robert and Carolyn enjoyed living in various places in the U.S. and Germany during his military career. They moved to San Antonio, Texas in 2014 to be near family.
A Memorial Service is being held Friday February 26th at 2 p.m. at Western Hills Christian Church in San Antonio, Texas. Interment will be at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas at a later date.
Memorials may be made to:
Western Hills Christian Church
8535 Huebner Rd.
San Antonio, Texas 78240
Arkansas Tech University Scholarship Fund
215 West O Street
Russellville, Arkansas 72801
Army Emergency Relief
2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 13161
Arlington, Virginia 22202
Alzheimer’s Association
San Antonio and South Texas Chapter
10223 McAllister Freeway, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78216
